Kitchen Design Made Simple - Wendy Moore
Colour trends in the kitchen
What’s in, and what’s out? If it were that simple, there’d be no interesting designs out there and we’d all have a kitchen that looked exactly the same. No, thank you! In my most recent blog for Belling, I explored how we often look at colours like a fad, but that colour is highly personal and choosing the colours you love will ultimately create a home that feels right for you. All the trends below aren’t specific to colour, but show how colour can be used in myriad ways to create soulful, interesting and functional spaces, that both do the job and look fabulous.
Kitchen trend 1: Brave Statement
What’s the trend? A stand-out feature grabs attention. It could be a wow appliance, a stand-out colour (or both), or a feature material.
Why we love it: If you’re just dipping your toe into the world of colour, this is a great place to start. The key to getting it right is to make sure your feature item is top quality, adds a sense of luxury or high design, and makes everyone look twice. It should be a talking point in the room.
How to do it: Choosing a bold hue for a key appliance is a new colour confidence trend that will last the distance. Make an everyday appliance your stunning centrepiece (such as this Chilli Red Dual Fuel range cooker from @bellingau’s Colour Boutique range) for a sophisticated twist.
Kitchen trend 2: Classic Cool
What’s the trend? We’re seeing Shaker style getting a chic modern update, moving away from white-on-white towards a mature palette of deep neutrals such as smokey greys, slate blues and deep greens. These nature-inspired tones are the new neutrals - calming, restful to the eye, and yet still make an impact with their beauty.
Why we love it: This is Shaker in a sleek, modern way - taking the understated beauty of this classic, no frills profile, and adding glam with features like brushed brass cabinetry and gorgeous deep neutrals to make it feel firmly modern.
How to do it: Get the profile of the cabinetry right and the rest will follow - pair this look with Colour Boutique Range Cookers in Thunder Blue for a natural fit.
Kitchen trend 3: Biophilic
What’s the trend? Surging post-pandemic, biophilic design reflects a need to be surrounded by nature, both inside and outside, as we reconnect and repair. I’m seeing an abundance of greenery - it’s been a huge trend for a while - but this trend takes it up a notch with huge windows, indoor-outdoor flow and built-in benchtop planters to let all that lovely oxygen flow. It’s also about materials - surfaces reference the natural world, with lots of texture and organic colour in myriad shades that mimic nature.
Why we love it: Everything organic is not going anywhere. The simplicity, connection and calm that we all crave is reflected in this fascinating trend.
How to do it: You might not be able to go fully biophilic, but can lean into tonal timbers, refreshing greens and surround yourself with plants. I’m loving Colour Boutique Deluxe 110cm Induction in Porcini Mushroom as a natural fit for this trend, and I really like using a few shades of green rather than one, because that’s what we see in nature, and I think it’s more calming. I’m also loving lush ferns as indoor plants - I can’t believe they were ever out of style!
Kitchen trend 4: Cutting-edge Country
What’s the trend? Urban luxuries meet country glamour in this trend that reflects our desire to hold on to the important things we reconnected with during our pandemic lockdowns. While biophilic looks to nature in a literal way, cutting-edge country reflects the desire for a complete lifestyle change, without sacrificing modernities.
Why we love it: This trend moves country style away from the fussy layers of pattern we’ve seen in the past, and towards a chic palette of warm whites balanced by earthy timbers, natural stone and exposed brick. For me, this trend is just so Australian, large windows, big surfaces in natural appearances mix with some more ‘urban’ finishes, like steel doors and exposed ceilings. It’s balanced and liveable, and can slot just as easily into city landscapes as pastoral ones, making it a real trend to watch and a stayer, for sure.
How to do it: Functionality is important in this trend - so don’t skimp on the essentials. Look to appliances that seamlessly slot into the trend, while ably delivering comforting meals for the masses. I’m loving the independent ovens and six-burner gas hob on 1100mm Gas Through Glass Rangecooker in Midnight Blue.
Kitchen trend 5: Colour Wash
What’s the trend? Rather than just a splash of colour, Colour Wash is about using accessories to create a strong colour statement with a complete wash of colour that demonstrates a true commitment to your hue of choice. It makes a room sing with style.
Why we love it: This trend is about the details and how they can change a room completely. It’s for curators and collectors who are truly committed to living with colour - and there’s so many high impact ways to implement it. From splashbacks, appliances and everyday tableware to toasters, kettles, blinds and servingware, the sky’s the limit!
How to do it: Go hard or go home - there’s no halfway with this trend. Start your journey with your dream cooker in your signature colour. It’s absolutely no secret that it’s Kingfisher Teal for me!
Wendy Moore
Interiors expert Wendy Moore is renowned for her understanding of what Australians want from their homes. Wendy and her team at The Interiors Edit are focussed on achievable dreams, attainable style and leading trend development and evolution that works with the way we live.
Known across the country as the host of Selling Houses Australia, Group GM of The Lifestyle Group of Channels and Homes Editor at Australian Women’s Weekly, Wendy’s resume also includes a decade on leading trend forecasting publication Australian Home Beautiful, as well as a judge on Channel 7’s House Rules.
